2nd UPDATE: Fiat Raises Targets On Improved Third Quarter

2nd UPDATE: Fiat Raises Targets On Improved Third Quarter

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Fiat SpA (F.MI) Thursday raised its 2010 targets, as expected, after its quarterly results beat expectations with a big jump in net profit on double-digit revenue growth as demand for trucks, tractors and combines rebounded.

The Italian industrial group raised its expectation for net profit for the year to about EUR400 million from a previous target of near break-even.

It predicted revenue in excess of EUR55 billion compared with a previous target of more than EUR50 billion.

For trading profit, or operating profit before extraordinary items, it now expects at least EUR2 billion, up from a range between EUR1.1 billion and EUR1.2 billion.

Net industrial debt is now expected to be slightly below EUR4 billion compared with an earlier target of more than EUR5 billion.

Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne had told reporters at the Paris motor show in September of the likelihood of a target revision.

This revision and the robust third-quarter results come on the back of a recovery in its Iveco truck and CNH (CNH) construction and agricultural vehicle businesses.

Its core car business, however, suffered a drop in operating profit on flat revenue.

Fiat's group net profit in the quarter ended Sept. 30 climbed to EUR190 million from EUR25 million in the same period a year earlier. The figure beat the EUR60 million expected by analysts, according to an average calculated from a Dow Jones Newswires and FactSet poll.

Revenue rose 12% to EUR13.5 billion.

Fiat said its car business, which includes brands like Fiat and Alfa Romeo, would be hurt by the reduction and elimination of government incentives to buy small, environmentally friendly cars in western Europe. As Europe's sixth-largest car maker by market share, Fiat is best known for its small cars and it had benefited from these incentives last year.

At 0954 GMT, Fiat shares traded up 3.8% at EUR12.17 in Milan as investors focused on news of the revised targets.

"(The) market was expecting Fiat to raise (full-year) guidance. However, the magnitude was bigger" than envisaged, UBS analyst Philippe Houchois said in a note.

CNH and Iveco, the two businesses within the group that had suffered heavy losses last year as a result of the crisis, produced buoyant results as demand in Asia and Latin America helped compensate for slower business in traditional markets like Europe and the U.S.

At Iveco, revenue climbed 15% to EUR2 billion and trading profit also more than doubled.

Fiat plans to split itself into two by the end of the year. The break-up will create two companies: Fiat SpA for passenger vehicles and Fiat Industrial SpA for Iveco and CNH.

Fiat Industrial SpA is waiting for regulatory approval to list its stock Jan. 3 in Milan where Fiat SpA also is listed. CNH will continue trading separately in the U.S.

Fiat SpA will retain its minority stake in Chrysler Group LLC, Fiat's U.S. partner.

French car maker PSA Peugeot-Citroen (UG.FR) raised its forecast for the year Wednesday. With revenue rising 10% in the third quarter, it expected to achieve an operating profit for 2010 of more than EUR1.5 billion in 2010.